Pre-Existing Chip on Windshield is now an 8" crack. How should I handle it?
Mar 8, 2020, 11:50 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 112
Pre-Existing Chip on Windshield is now an 8" crack. How should I handle it?
I picked up a rental car from my local Enterprise yesterday. The car had a pre-exisitng chip on the front windshield [it's documented in the contract]. I am a regular at that facility & they know me well. It was raining, when I went to pick up the car. So, they skipped the inspection. I have driven it less than 10 miles within town. I was sitting in the grocery store parking lot & right before my eyes, the chip first widened to 2" & then an 8" crack, all within an hour. It sounds unbelievable but I have something similar happened to my personal car 10 years back. I had a chip in my car that I ignored for several months & then out of nowhere, boom in under 48 hours, I had a crack that ran the entire length of my windshield. The facility is closed today. I have to return the car tomorrow. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures from when I picked it up. I did take pictures of the windshield when it became a 4" & then an 8" crack.
I don't want my insurance [through Chase Sapphire credit card] or myself to pay for what I believe to be poor maintenance on their part. How should I approach this issue with the facility?
I don't want my insurance [through Chase Sapphire credit card] or myself to pay for what I believe to be poor maintenance on their part. How should I approach this issue with the facility?
Mar 8, 2020, 2:41 pm
#2
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
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Stuff happens. This is what the CC coverage is for. Let Chase deal with it and fight with Enterprise if it wishes to. The debate about whether you are responsible for what became a larger problem than when you picked up the vehicle is not worth the effort and your time has a value.
Mar 8, 2020, 4:23 pm
#3
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Posts: 33,747
If only it were that easy. Chase requires that you pay for the damage yourself and then file reams of paperwork required by their insurer. OP, I hope that Enterprise takes responsibility for this. Please let us know.
Mar 8, 2020, 5:17 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 112
SanDiego1K Precisely. I believe Often1 was trying to be helpful here. But, how do I save time if I end up spending that time dealing with Chase. AutoSlash Do you have anything to say?
Mar 9, 2020, 7:06 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Lexington KY/Coronado, CA
Posts: 950
It's fairly common knowledge that windshield chips can, and often do, "spiderweb" into larger cracks. The folks at Enterprise should be aware of this. It's possible things have changed, but many years ago when I worked for Enterprise, we were not allowed to put a car on the road if we knew it had a chipped windshield. If indeed the chip was already noted on your contract when you checked out the vehicle, I wouldn't think you'd be in for much of a fight. Escalate to a manager if need be, and make sure you have something in writing before you leave that indicated Enterprise will pay for the repairs.
Mar 10, 2020, 4:04 pm
#6
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Really? I thought that you could just submit the rental company's bill or repair estimate with the rest of the paperwork required to perfect your insurance claim with Chase's insurer, and the insurer would just pay the rental company directly.
Mar 11, 2020, 9:51 am
#7
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That's all I had to do last year after my Enterprise rental was scraped to the tune of $1200. Pretty painless.
Mar 11, 2020, 10:10 am
#8
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I was surprised by this as well.
I suppose that there are claims where asking additional questions is worthwhile and there is a reason, but for minor stuff, 90% of the benefit of insurance is not the coverage but the (lack of) hassle factor.
I suppose that there are claims where asking additional questions is worthwhile and there is a reason, but for minor stuff, 90% of the benefit of insurance is not the coverage but the (lack of) hassle factor.